Executive Director &
Head Coach
Carlos Castro is the Executive Director of Walker’s Gymnastics & Dance and Head Coach of Gymnastics Programs. He is committed to continuing the legacy established by the Walker family 47 years ago. Carlos is passionate about technical proficiency, competitive excellence, and fostering a supportive environment where every athlete and dancer can strive for their personal best. Whether working with competitive or recreational athletes, Carlos aims to help each student achieve their unique goals. With over 25 years of experience, Carlos brings world-class expertise to Walker’s. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, Sports, and Physical Sciences with a focus on child development. He began his career with the Peruvian Gymnastics Federation, where he spent nine years in pivotal roles, including Pre-Team Selection, National Team Coordinator for Conditioning, and Head Coach of the Infantile National Team (ages 9–12). He started coaching in the U.S., in 2009 and has led athletes to numerous championships as a team and individually, including State, Regional, and National Champions. He is passionate about technical proficiency and competitive excellence. He is excited to develop all programs further and looks forward to personally working with all gymnasts and meeting all dancers!
Dance Director
Janine Walker is the Dance Director Walker's Dance. Our school was founded by her father, Reginald T. Walker in 1978. Previously serving as the Executive Director of Walker’s Gymnastics and Dance, Janine has been instrumental in shaping all of the programs. She has a lifelong passion for dance, she has fostered an environment where students develop strength, flexibility, poise, and confidence. Under her leadership, Walker's Dance offers classes in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, musical theatre, and tap for all ages and skill levels. Recognized in Dance Teacher magazine for her teaching philosophy, Janine continues to inspire students and enrich the cultural fabric of the Lowell community.
Gymnastics Coach
Jess Cardone has been at Walker’s since she was 6 years old and is currently a coach for Xcel Silver and Gold. She competed for 15 years, progressing through JO Level 9 and later competing in Prep-Op Superior (now Xcel Diamond), as well as for Lowell High School’s Varsity Gymnastics team. Jess pursued her education in Business Management at Middlesex Community College and UMass Lowell.
With extensive coaching experience, Jess has taught recreational gymnastics classes at all levels and coached Compulsory JO Levels 2-6, as well as Xcel Bronze, Silver, and Gold. She is not only a dedicated and skilled coach but also a mentor to other coaches, sharing her expertise and passion for gymnastics to foster growth and excellence within the coaching team.
Chantal Kelleher
Chantal (Doucett) Kelleher is a choreographer and dance educator in the Boston area. She holds her BFA in dance performance from the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Performing Arts under the direction of Stephen Pier. She began her professional career with Urbanity Dance company where she had numerous opportunities to perform in both Boston and New York City. In 2013 she stepped into the inaugural role as choreography fellow and upheld the position for ten years. Among the many opportunities she had to show her works at shows and festivals in the city, she also had the opportunity to work with the Liberty Hotel in Boston as the choreographer for their annual Halloween and New Years Eve events. Currently, Chantal is an adjunct professor of dance at Endicott College and a freelance choreographer.
Stephanie Avgtis
Stephanie graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She was the recipient of the four-year Helen Forman Special Talent Arts Scholarship at Rhode Island College. She is currently pursuing both her passions: educating young minds in the dance studio as well as helping patients in the hospital setting. Over the years, Stephanie has been given the opportunity to work with many talented choreographers such as Jennifer Archibald, Adrienne Hawkins, Larry Keigwin, Tommy Neblett, Jessica Pearson, and Jaclyn Walsh. Stephanie is blessed to be able to continue sharing her knowledge and passion to the dancers at Walker’s.
Stephanie Silva
Stephanie trained at Walker’s Dance for 15 years in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, musical theatre and tap. She received additional training in the Walker’s Summer Intensive having the opportunity to work with master teachers such as Jason Luks, Brandon Koepsell, Alana Isiguen, Hollis Bartlett and Jaclyn Walsh. As a member of Walker’s Dance Troupe, Stephanie won numerous solo and group, high score awards as well as many special awards for technique and performance. Stephanie has had the honor of performing at the Joyce Theatre for Dancin’ Downtown at the Joyce, SummerStages in Central Park NY, and the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival.
As a faculty member for Walker’s Dance, Stephanie is proud to have her dancers continue along the path she enjoyed. Her choreography for WDT’s Future Stars, has brought her dancers recognition and success at competitions.
Cassie Laurin
Cassie brings 15 years of competitive dance experience, having trained with Walkers Dance Troupe in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, musical theater, and tap. In 2017, she performed at the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival and studied under esteemed artists such as Jaclyn Walsh, Brandon Koepsell, Jackie Nowicki, Betsy Graves, and Ellenore Scott, among others. More recently, Cassie worked with professional dancers and actors at Walt Disney World, Florida, further refining her skills and stage presence. In addition to her dance career, Cassie earned her associate degree in Business Management and is currently pursuing a degree in Pediatric Occupational Therapy. She has been a barre instructor for years, channeling her passion for movement and technique to inspire her students. Her dedication to teaching allows her to continue sharing her love for dance and fitness, helping others grow in their own practice.
Alana Paine-Masters
Coach Alana is a junior at UMass Lowell studying Mechanical Engineering and while she is a new addition to Walker’s Gymnastics she brings over 6 years of experience. She began gymnastics at the age of 4 and quickly rose through the levels to compete USAG levels 4 and 5. Shortly after Alana retired, she began coaching and has been ever since with experience ranging from preschool to Excel Gold. She is currently coaching the Excel Bronze as well as Hot Shots
Athena Nol-Mao
Athena is a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts of Lowell with a major in General Biology. When not at school, she spends my time doing CrossFit, enjoying concerts, and coaching. Athena started her very own gymnastics journey here at Walker's and has been coaching for 6 years now. She finds it rewarding to not only see how far the kids have come skill-wise but to see them fall in love with the sport.
Alanna Palladino
Alanna Palladino has been a dancer for 15 years, and graduated from Nancy Chippendales dance studios. Alanna has competed in dance competitions since the age of 8, and throughout that time earned both regional and national titles. Alanna began her dance teaching career while she started her college education at Merrimack College. Her favorite styles of dance are tap, jazz, and musical theatre!
Jess Cardone
Jess started gymnastics at Walker’s when she was 6 and competed for 15 years. She competed through JO Level 9 and then went on to compete in Prep-Op Superior (now known as Xcel Diamond). She also competed for Lowell High Varsity Gymnastics. She attended Middlesex Community College and UMass Lowell for Business Management.She has taught recreational gymnastics classes of all levels as well as coached Compulsory JO Levels 2-6 and Xcel Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Jess currently coaches Xcel Silver and Gold.In addition to coaching, Jess works full time as a Sales Operations Data Analyst at Curriculum Associates. In her free time, Jess loves to spend time with her two Godsons.
Leanne Reardon
Leanne grow up dancing in Burlington, MA and has been teaching in the New England area for over 15 years. She has also been the resident choreographer for the Burlington, MA Music Department, choreographing many musicals such as “Hairspray”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Music Man”, as well as choreographing for the Burlington Educational Summer Theater, which gives young students the opportunity to perform in a full scale musical production. Leanne loves sharing her passion for dance with students of all ages and abilities. She feels that through dance students learn creativity, self-expression, determination, discipline and many more life lessons that help them reach their goals and guide them towards successful futures.
Shannon Zgonis
Shannon started gymnastics at Walker’s when she was 4 and competed for 14 years. She competed through JO Level 9. She also competed for Lowell High Varsity Gymnastics and was four time MVP. She attended Middlesex Community College and UMass Lowell for Criminal Justice which she received a Master’s degree with a minor in sociology.
She has taught recreational gymnastics classes of all levels for 18 years and still going strong, as well as coached Compulsory JO Levels 2-4 and Xcel Silver, Platinum, and Diamond. Shannon was the Head Coach for Lowell High Varsity and Junior varsity gymnastics for 8 years and was named lowell sun coach of the year and MVC and DCL coach of the year. Shannon currently coaches Xcel Platinum.
In addition to coaching, works full time at Lowell High School in the Special Education department with the adjustment students.
In her free time, Shannon loves to travel, spend time with her son Cullen, her husband Nick, and her dog Maggie.